A firing incident was reported at the Thana Mandi area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri where terrorists were believed to be hiding, sources said on Tuesday (September 3). The Indian Army and the Special Operations Group (SOG) have cordoned off the area and launched a large-scale search operation.
Surge in terror attacks
The Jammu region, which remained relatively peaceful between 2005 and 2021 after security forces wiped out decades-long terrorism, witnessed a spike in terror attacks over the past month. It included an attack on a pilgrim bus that left nine persons dead and 40 injured. Terror activities resurfaced in October 2021 from the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Some of the deadly attacks that spread to Reasi, Kathua and Doda were attributed by the security establishment as an attempt by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the Jammu region. Over 70 people, including more than 50 security personnel -- mostly from the Army -- have been killed in terror-related incidents in the Jammu region since 2021.
(With inputs from Rahi Kapoor)
